leafman60
Cruisin' Guzzisti
Apparently SW Motech (Traxx) who makes the stock aluminum bags for the Stelvio has upgraded them this year. Unfortunately, some of us who bought the initial batch of 2012 NTX models that were shipped here didn't get in on the action.
SWM has upgraded the latching mechanism from the old-style "thermous jug" wire latches to a formed stainless latch. I guess the main benefit here is a slightly more secure latch since a stout pair of wire cutters cannot cut the latch rings and slipping a screwdriver underneath same and simply prying them off their hook is more difficult.
Secondly, the sealing design of the lid is totally different. The "old" style like mine relied upon a foam seal around the top lid to mate against the lip of the box. The "new" boxes have a plastic-molded piece around both the lid and the box rim. A formed blade mates up into a molded matching groove to effect and more tight water seal.
I checked with Riders Hill to see if there was any above-board way for me to get an upgraded pair of the bags but I had no luck. David, the salesman said I should have waited for later batches before buying the Stelvio !!
Anyway, aint no big deal really. I havent tried the stock bags in hard rain yet but I will. If they leak, Im gonna raise he##.
I first noticed this while riding with PYOUNG recently in the mountains. He lost a key to his box and we had a drama solving that issue. I got a good look at his boxes and noticed the difference.
OLD STYLE STELVIO PANNIERS:
Latch-
Lid edge-
Box edge-
NEW STYLE STELVIO PANNIERS:
Latch-
Lid edge-
Box edge-
SWM has upgraded the latching mechanism from the old-style "thermous jug" wire latches to a formed stainless latch. I guess the main benefit here is a slightly more secure latch since a stout pair of wire cutters cannot cut the latch rings and slipping a screwdriver underneath same and simply prying them off their hook is more difficult.
Secondly, the sealing design of the lid is totally different. The "old" style like mine relied upon a foam seal around the top lid to mate against the lip of the box. The "new" boxes have a plastic-molded piece around both the lid and the box rim. A formed blade mates up into a molded matching groove to effect and more tight water seal.
I checked with Riders Hill to see if there was any above-board way for me to get an upgraded pair of the bags but I had no luck. David, the salesman said I should have waited for later batches before buying the Stelvio !!
Anyway, aint no big deal really. I havent tried the stock bags in hard rain yet but I will. If they leak, Im gonna raise he##.
I first noticed this while riding with PYOUNG recently in the mountains. He lost a key to his box and we had a drama solving that issue. I got a good look at his boxes and noticed the difference.
OLD STYLE STELVIO PANNIERS:
Latch-
Lid edge-
Box edge-
NEW STYLE STELVIO PANNIERS:
Latch-
Lid edge-
Box edge-